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The effect of physical and chemical properties of swimming pool water and its close environment on the development of contact dermatitis in hydrotherapists
Author(s) -
Pardo A.,
Nevo K.,
Vigiser D.,
Lazarov A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20423
Subject(s) - chlorine , medicine , toxicology , hydrotherapy , contact dermatitis , environmental chemistry , chemistry , immunology , biology , pathology , organic chemistry , allergy , alternative medicine
Background The association between physical and chemical parameters in swimming pool water and the incidence of contact dermatitis (CD) in hydrotherapists was studied. Methods Chemical and physical parameters characterizing the water and air environment of swimming pools conducting hydrotherapy program were recorded. Differences between the values of these parameters associated with affected and non‐affected hydrotherapists employed in 39 pools were tested statistically. Results No significant difference was found between the means of each of the physical and chemical parameters associated with the affected and the non‐affected group of hydrotherapists. The prevalence ratio of the incidence of CD in pools chlorinated by gaseous chlorine was significantly higher than that in pools disinfected by other forms of chlorine compounds (PR = 1.49, CI = 1.17–1.89, P = 0.017). Conclusions Dosing the water with larger amounts of gaseous chlorine compared to other disinfectants and a subsequent temporary decrease in the pH of the water may produce a more aggressive environment. It is suggested that combined effect of the various factors concomitantly with the irritating effect of prolonged exposure to water may trigger CD in pools treated with other chlorine‐based compounds. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:122–126, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.